Fallen Miners

PANTHER EAGLE MINE

MARFORK COAL COMPANY · Underground · Coal
Whitesville, Raleigh County, WV · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4609212

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
Struck by falling object

Employee was setting timbers for the next retreat mining lift inby spad 21417 when the slab cut entry that was previously cut fell to the roof bolts causing draw rock to strike the employee. Employee was coherent and alert while being transported outside. During transportation to medical facility they suffered a cardiac arrest. Incident remains under investigation.

All reportable incidents

82 on file
Struck by falling object

Employee was setting timbers for the next retreat mining lift inby spad 21417 when the slab cut entry that was previously cut fell to the roof bolts causing draw rock to strike the employee. Employee was coherent and alert while being transported outside. During transportation to medical facility they suffered a cardiac arrest. Incident remains under investigation.

Over-exertion NEC

Employee was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Struck by flying object

Employee was working on the RCM replacing core breaker and wear shoes while putting the pin through the shoe and core breaker with a hammer something came off hitting their left eye.

Over-exertion NEC

Employee was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Safety was notified on 12/19/2025.

Struck by... NEC

Employee was cutting open an old splice on the roof bolter cable. While peeling back the insulated jacket employee cut left hand with a utility knife.

Rubbed or abraded

Employee was releasing comealongs that was hooked into a eye on a spreader bar & a set of belt clamps. The eye on the spreader bar broke causing the comealong to cut their left pinky finger.

Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall was discovered on No. 4 Conveyor Belt/Track; No. 34 break. Spad 4419 in the scoop road adjacent to the fall is the nearest spad. Fall measured approximately 55 feet long x 18 feet wide x 4 feet high.

Caught in, under or between NEC

Employee bent a roof bolt to get it installed in the roof. As the employee was bending the bolt back to get it aligned with the drill chuck EE's rescuer hit the rotation lever resulting in EE's right hand getting caught in the bolt.

Struck by falling object

Employee was hanging curtain in the #3 entry when a piece of top rock fell hitting them on top of the head pushing their hard hat into their glasses cutting the bridge of their nose (size 64""L 23""W 4.5"" T)

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was positioning a transition roller on the front of a four wheeler to make adjustments before installing at HC 3 Head when the roller slid back causing their right hand to be caught between the steering wheel and roller resulting in a laceration to their right hand.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Felt pain in groin while handling a conveyor belt hold up roller. Reported as occupational injury to the operator on 06/10/2025.

Over-exertion NEC

Employee was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel. Safety was notified on 05/14/2025.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was riding on the #20 mac 8 ride heading to the #2 section, when the operator started accelerating wide open and came in contact with the coal rib causing the mac ride to come to a abrupt stop. resulting back pain to the employee.

Struck by... NEC

Employee was putting away tools in EE's toolbox when a battery-operated chain saw got engaged by the tools and came in contact with the employee thumb resulting in a laceration.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis.

Struck by... NEC

Employee stated EE went to walk through a set of fly pads and one of them caught EE knocking EE's hard hat off and EE's glasses. Resulting in a fly pad scratching EE's eye.

Struck by... NEC

Miner was assisting in making a belt splice using a nail board and quick loads, miner attempted to move the quick load plunger when the other miner swung the hammer striking injured in the back of the hand just below the index finger. Resulted in a fracture.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While pulling up bolter slack, employee felt a sharp pain in lower back. Employee continued to work up until 01/07/2025 when the employee began missing work. After investigation, it was discovered employee has been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and stenosis in the L5-S1 area.

Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury electrical fire occurred on the No. 1 Brookeville Locomotive.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was using machine mounted re-trackers on a Brookeville locomotive due to the machine being off the track. The employee was operating the re-trackers from outside of the operator's deck of the machine. Once the locomotive was back on the track it rolled due to the brakes not being set catching the employee in a pinch point between the machine and the mine rib.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

While installing a roof bolt, employee had a hand on the drill steel when the rotation lever was bumped unintentionally. Resulted in a dislocated and fractured right ring finger.

Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall was discovered in the return airway measuring approximately 20 feet long x 20 feet wide x 4 feet high.

Struck against stationary object

Employee came into contact with an installed roof bolt plate while hand dusting the place. Resulted in a laceration to the neck/back requiring 19 stitches.

Struck by falling object

Employee was operating a roof bolter installing a strap when a piece of rock fell measuring 2 foot by 2 foot by 6 inches striking the employee causing a laceration to EE's right wrist resulting in 3 stitches.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee was assisting the other roof bolt operator with installing a fly board onto the mine roof. Employee rested their hand on the boom of the machine. When the other bolter operator raised the boom, it pinched employee's finger between the moving arms on the boom. Resulted in amputation of left pinky finger down to the proximal.

Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred in the primary escapeway just outby No. 2 Section in the No. 3 Entry, 1 break inby spad 5629. Fall measured approximately 55 feet long x 19 feet wide x 2-4 feet thick.

Struck by flying object

Employee was installing belt hangers in the mine roof when a piece of slate rock spun off drill steel while drilling, striking employee just above their left eye. Resulted in a laceration requiring eleven (11) stitches.

Struck by falling object

Employee was setting a beam while building an overcast. The beam fell and struck them in the left ankle. Injury was not the result of a training or compliance issue.

Struck by... NEC

Employee was squaring the end of the move belt rubber in preparation for splicing. While using a utility razor knife, the knife slipped causing a laceration to employee's left hand. Resulted in four (4) stitches.

Struck by falling object

While resetting timbers, a rock measuring approximately 69 inches x 50 inches wide X 6 inches thick fell from roof striking employee on the right foot. Resulted in fractures to the foot.

Struck by... NEC

Employee was cutting tag off a pair of new boots when knife slipped causing a laceration to left wrist. Resulted in eight (8) stitches.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was dropping grating around the power center and left thumb got hung in the grating. Resulted in a fracture to the left thumb.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While hanging trailing cables from continuous miner and roof bolter, employee felt a pop in left knee.

Struck against stationary object

While being transported to section on rail mounted vehicle, employee's knee was protruding outside the confines of the passenger compartment and came in contact with a timber set alongside the belt line.

Struck by falling object

Employee was on knees loading supplies onto the bolt machine. Roof rock feel out from between bolts striking employee on back of calf.

Struck by... NEC

Employee was removing lid from a metal oil can and cut wrist. Resulted in seven (7) sutures.

Struck by flying object

Employee was working near the section conveyor tailpiece, when a rock came through the tail piece knocking the guard loose striking the employee causing a laceration around left eye. Resulted in 16 sutures.

Struck by falling object

Crew was departing section on #4 MAC personnel carrier when a piece of draw of shale rock fell from mine roof striking employee on hard hat causing a laceration to EE's forehead. Required 6 sutures.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was diagnosed with pnuemoconiosis.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While unloading timbers from the rail mounted supply car, employee felt a pop in knee resulting in swelling and soreness.

Struck by... NEC

Employee was hanging miner cable and waterline, shuttle car was leaving the continuous miner when it struck the miner cable and water line, knocking employee to the ground, injuring wrist.

Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred in the No. 1 Section primary escapeway adjacent to the No. 4 belt, 15-16 cross cut near spad 3233. Fall measured 35' long x 20' long x 4' high. All approaches were timbered and dangered off. A clean up plan was submitted for review.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee stumbled while walking causing head to strike a roof bolt plate. Resulted in a laceration requiring 14 stitches.

Struck by flying object

While cleaning No. 9 entry on No. 1 section, employee peeled up a large floor rock measuring approximately 38"" wide x 40"" long x 6"" thick. The rock flipped up and partially entered the operators deck striking employee on the side of the head. Resulted in a laceration of EE's ear requiring surgery.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While tramming the scoop, the door to the operator's deck swung open. Employee attempted to shut door back when the scoop brakes suddenly locked up due to the door being open causing the door to swing shut pinching left middle finger between door and frame. Resulted in amputation of finger to first joint. 75 days standard charge.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was working to install a top shear jack pin on a continuous miner when arm came in contact with burred metal on the machine resulting in a laceration requiring 5 stitches.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall was discovered along #2 South Beltline at #7 cross cut. Spad No. 3357. Fall measured approximately 20' Long X 20' Wide X 5' High. No injuries reported.

Accident type, without injuries

Non injury roof fall was discovered in the primary escapeway on No. 1 Section at approximately No. 6 Break on 2 South Mains Spad No. 3352. Fall measured approximately 20' X 20' X 8'.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was tramming the left roof bolter when machine ran over a rock. Employee's head struck the roof causing pain in EE's neck.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While operating a shuttle car, employee pinched fingers on right hand between the canopy of the machine and the rib, resulting in a laceration that required stitches.

Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred on the No. 1 Section in the intersection just outby the face in the No. 1 Entry inby spad No. 3232. The fall measured approximately 20' long x 20' wide x 4' high.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred on the No. 1 Section in the 5 Right Cross Cut just inby spad 3173. Fall measured approximately 48'-50' long X 18' Wide X 4' High.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Operator was installing roof bolts when gloved hand became entangled around the bolt.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was crossing the section near the feeder area when EE felt a pop in the right knee causing EE to fall.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was gathering empty oil bucket lids, tab from one of the lids lacerated left arm resulting in 10 stitches.

Struck by falling object

While installing outside bolt, rib rolled out mashing left foot.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While pulling a roll of mine curtain injured experienced pain in their back.

Struck by... NEC

Injured was working on continuous miner tightening bolts on a shield when the ratchet slipped off causing a laceration on EE's fingers on EE's right hand.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While changing batteries, miner was pulling on battery plug when elbow ""popped"". Miner began feeling pain and was transported to hospital. Diagnosed with a torn tendon.

Over-exertion NEC

While attempting to mount a coupler to a piece of rail mounted equipment, employee injured their back.

Struck by flying object

Employee was attempting to take a link out of the feeder conveyor chain. Injured struck a connector pin with a four pound hammer and a piece of metal struck injured in the eye.

Struck against a moving object

While operating a shuttle car, machine operator ran over a rock in the roadway on return trip to the continuous miner resulting in a sprain/strain to back.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Miner was handling continuous miner trailing cable and felt a sharp pain in the back. Incident was determined to be reportable on 11/12/2020.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While loading track rails on the surface, injured was attempting to slide rails off of the forklift onto the rail car by hand. Rail moved unexpectedly and caught left ring finger between another rail.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Stacking block in insert, smashed the left thumb in between the corners of 2 block.

Bodily reaction, NEC

After moving the underground forklift, miner was exiting the cab and felt a sharp pain under left shoulder. Incident was determined to be reportable on 09/14/2020.

Struck by... NEC

Pulling top off of oil can to use for plastering stopping. Resulted in lacerated forearm resulting in stitches.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While hanging communications line, the injured stumbled and fell, tried to break fall with left arm causing a possible sprain and inflammation in the elbow.

Struck by falling object

While installing roof bolts in No. 4 Entry, roof rock fell striking miner on back/shoulder area pushing employee forward causing them to strike their face on the supply tray of the machine. Resulted in stitches and a fracture.

Struck against stationary object

Injured lacerated an ear on a roof bolt plate. Injured sought medical treatment and received 4 stitches. The operator was not notified of the incident until 04/02/2020.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Sprained shoulder while handling bucket of miner bits. Safety was made aware on 06/17/2020 that injured has began missing work for surgery.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While employee was carrying a half roll of curtain, employee stated employee felt pain in employee's back.

Struck against stationary object

While employee was getting out of the scoop, EE cut EE's right arm on a piece of metal.

Struck by... NEC

While employee was moving up cable anchor, there was tension on cable and when freed struck the employee in the mouth.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While shoveling belt, the miner turned to empty shovel on belt and felt a pop in knee.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Miner was changing off side top roller on outside stacker belt when EE pinched finger between the roller and the frame of the structure.

Struck by falling object

A rock fell from the mine roof striking miner on the leg.

Over-exertion NEC

Miner was using a piece of scrap from a cut timber to pound on a waterline coupling when the miner felt sharp pain in EE's left wrist.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Miner was lifting discharge line that was suspended to couple two joints of line together. Miner experienced discomfort in right rib cage area.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was assisting with a concrete pour and some concrete got in rubber boots causing a concrete burn (contact dermatitis) to the skin on right upper foot/lower leg area.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was watching trailing cable slack on the #2 roof bolter as it was being trammed. A scoop, 1 break outby, unexpectedly caught the roof bolter trailing cable pulling the trailing cable and entangling the injured's foot in a loop of the trailing cable slack. Resulted in a fractured tibia of the left ankle/foot area.